{"title":"Helene Dunbar","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore the intriguing, heartfelt world of Helene Dunbar, a masterful storyteller whose books resonate with both young adults and those young at heart. Her captivating narratives often delve into themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of the human soul, making her works a staple in the realm of young adult literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDunbar's collection includes titles such as \u003cem\u003ePrelude for Lost Souls\u003c\/em\u003e and its sequel, \u003cem\u003eThe Promise of Lost Things\u003c\/em\u003e. These books invite readers into a mystical town deeply connected to the otherworldly, where the line between life and death blurs, and personal ghosts come alive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eWe Are Lost and Found\u003c\/em\u003e, Dunbar shifts focus to a more grounded reality, capturing the poignant experiences of teenagers navigating life in 1980s New York amidst the backdrop of societal change and the AIDS crisis. This novel highlights her ability to weave historical context with emotive storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHelene Dunbar's works offer a unique blend of the supernatural and profoundly real, appealing to those who crave stories that challenge the norm while touching the heart.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"we-are-lost-and-found-by-helene-dunbar-9781492681045","title":"We Are Lost and Found","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the tradition of \u003cem\u003eThe Perks of Being a Wallflower\u003c\/em\u003e, comes a story about choosing your path and finding the courage to be yourself in the face of fear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom \"the queen of heartbreaking prose\" (Paste) Helene Dunbar, \u003cem\u003eWe Are Lost and Found\u003c\/em\u003e is a young adult realistic fiction novel in the vein of \u003cem\u003eThe Perks of Being a Wallflower\u003c\/em\u003e about three friends coming-of-age against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis in the early 1980s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMichael is content to live in the shadow of his best friends, James and Becky. Plus, his brother, Connor, has already been kicked out of the house for being gay and laying low seems to be Michael's only chance at avoiding the same fate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTo pass the time before graduation, Michael hangs out at The Echo where he can dance and forget about his father's angry words, the pressures of school, and the looming threat of AIDS, a disease that everyone is talking about, but no one understands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThen he meets Gabriel, a boy who actually sees him. A boy who, unlike seemingly everyone else in New York City, is interested in him and not James. And Michael has to decide what he's willing to risk to be himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is perfect for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eReaders who want stories centring gay boys coming of age\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eParents and educators looking for realistic historical fiction for teens\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eFans of Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera, and Stephen Chbosky\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46534308561132,"sku":"9781492681045","price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/12347443482719.jpg?v=1749424731"},{"product_id":"we-are-lost-and-found-by-helene-dunbar-9781728206998","title":"We Are Lost and Found","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the tradition of \u003cem\u003eThe Perks of Being a Wallflower\u003c\/em\u003e comes a story about choosing your path and finding the courage to be yourself in the face of fears. Now in paperback!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom \"the queen of heartbreaking prose\" (Paste), Helene Dunbar, \u003cem\u003eWe Are Lost and Found\u003c\/em\u003e is a young adult realistic fiction novel in the vein of \u003cem\u003eThe Perks of Being a Wallflower\u003c\/em\u003e about three friends coming-of-age against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis in the early 1980s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMichael is content to live in the shadow of his best friends, James and Becky. Plus, his brother, Connor, has already been kicked out of the house for being gay, and laying low seems to be Michael's only chance at avoiding the same fate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTo pass the time before graduation, Michael hangs out at The Echo, where he can dance and forget about his father's angry words, the pressures of school, and the looming threat of AIDS, a disease that everyone is talking about, but no one understands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThen he meets Gabriel, a boy who actually sees him. A boy who, unlike seemingly everyone else in New York City, is interested in him and not James. And Michael has to decide what he's willing to risk to be himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is perfect for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eReaders who want stories centring gay boys coming of age\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eParents and educators looking for realistic historical fiction for teens\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eFans of Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera, and Stephen Chbosky\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46534308823276,"sku":"9781728206998","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/8400613482803.jpg?v=1749424820"},{"product_id":"prelude-for-lost-souls-by-helene-dunbar-9781728259352","title":"Prelude for Lost Souls","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA spellbinding tale about choosing your own path, the families we create for ourselves, and facing the ghosts that attempt to hold us back. Now in paperback!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom acclaimed author Helene Dunbar comes the start of a spellbinding young adult series about a small town filled with spiritualists and one boy who wants out, perfect for readers who want teen ghost books and fans of Maggie Stiefvater, Maureen Johnson, and Nova Ren Suma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the town of St. Hilaire, most make their living by talking to the dead. In the summer, the town gates open to tourists seeking answers while all activity is controlled by The Guild, a sinister ruling body that sees everything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDec Hampton has lived there his entire life, but ever since his parents died, he's been done with it. He knows he has to leave before anyone has a chance to stop him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis best friend Russ won't be surprised when Dec leaves—but he will be heartbroken. Russ is a good medium, maybe even a great one. He's made sacrifices for his gift and will do whatever he can to gain entry to The Guild, even embracing dark forces and contacting the most elusive ghost in town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut when the train of Annie Krylova, the piano prodigy whose music has been Dec's main source of solace, breaks down outside of town, it sets off an unexpected chain of events. And in St. Hilaire, there are no such things as coincidences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePrelude for Lost Souls\u003c\/i\u003e is perfect for readers looking for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eghost town books\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eyoung adult lgbt books\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eatmospheric stories\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46550574366956,"sku":"9781728259352","price":22.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/8924153482803.jpg?v=1749986103"},{"product_id":"prelude-for-lost-souls-by-helene-dunbar-9781492667377","title":"Prelude for Lost Souls","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Raven Boys\u003c\/em\u003e meets \u003cem\u003eThe Astonishing Color of After\u003c\/em\u003e in this story of two boys in a special town where everyone can talk to the dead. Some see it as a blessing; others see it as a curse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom acclaimed author Helene Dunbar comes the start of a spellbinding young adult series about a small town filled with spiritualists and one boy who wants out, perfect for readers who want teen ghost books and fans of Maggie Stiefvater, Maureen Johnson, and Nova Ren Suma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the town of St. Hilaire, most make their living by talking to the dead. In the summer, the town gates open to tourists seeking answers while all activity is controlled by The Guild, a sinister ruling body that sees everything. Dec Hampton has lived there his entire life, but ever since his parents died, he's been done with it. He knows he has to leave before anyone has a chance to stop him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis best friend Russ won't be surprised when Dec leaves—but he will be heartbroken. Russ is a good medium, maybe even a great one. He's made sacrifices for his gift and will do whatever he can to gain entry to The Guild, even embracing dark forces and contacting the most elusive ghost in town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut when the train of Annie Krylova, the piano prodigy whose music has been Dec's main source of solace, breaks down outside of town, it sets off an unexpected chain of events. And in St. Hilaire, there are no such things as coincidences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for readers looking for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eghost town books\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eyoung adult LGBT books\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eatmospheric stories\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003egifts for teen girls 16-18\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46550576627948,"sku":"9781492667377","price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781492667377.jpg?v=1750022934"},{"product_id":"the-promise-of-lost-things-by-helene-dunbar-9781492667407","title":"The Promise of Lost Things","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree characters with their own agendas converge in a town filled with mediums, where most residents make their living speaking to the dead... and there's no such thing as resting in peace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRuss Griffin has always wanted to be a fantastic medium. Growing up in the town of St. Hilaire, where most residents make their living by speaking to the dead, means there's a lot of competition, and he's always held his own. But Russ knows the town he loves is corrupt, and he's determined to save it before the sinister ruling body, The Guild, ruins all he's ever wanted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWillow Rodgers is St. Hilaire royalty. An orphan, raised by The Guild, she's powerful and mysterious. But she has secrets that might change everyone's fate. She's done with St. Hilaire, done with helping spirits move on. She wants to end the cycle for good and rid the town of ghosts, even if that means destroying the only home she's ever known.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAsher Mullen lost his sister, and his parents can't get over her death. They sought answers in St. Hilaire and were turned away. Now they want revenge. Asher is tasked with infiltrating the town, and he does that by getting to know Russ. The only problem is, he might be falling for him, which will make betraying him that much harder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRuss, Willow, and Asher all have their own agendas for St. Hilaire, but one thing's for certain, no one will be resting in peace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Promise of Lost Things\u003c\/em\u003e presents a thrilling tale where personal missions and supernatural elements intertwine, ensuring that readers won’t find peace until they finish the book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47016535720172,"sku":"9781492667407","price":24.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/12211063482719.jpg?v=1763599931"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/helene-dunbar.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}